Scunthorpe showing interest in Avenue ace

5:20pm Monday 2nd June 2014

By Ian Whiting

Bradford Park Avenue midfielder Jordan Deacey may line up against former team-mate Michael Duckworth when they host Hartlepool United in a pre-season friendly but he is unlikely to join the League Two outfit.

Former Bradford City assistant manager Colin Cooper is the Hartlepool boss and has shown an interest in Deacey.

The attacking midfielder played a number of games for Hartlepool’s reserves towards the end of last season.

That led many to believe Deacey could be following Duckworth to Hartlepool but Bradford’s finance director Kevin Hainsworth thinks the player could be destined for a different Football League club.

“Jordan might be going to Scunthorpe United because they are the latest to be keen on him,” said Hainsworth.

“We are playing Hartlepool as part of Ducky’s transfer and he has done well for Colin Cooper. It was common knowledge that they were having a close look at Jordan but it could be that Scunny get him.”

The player, who is the son of Avenue manager John Deacey, has been on Scunthorpe’s radar for some time. Former Bantams and Wales striker Dean Saunders was keen to take him to Doncaster Rovers when he was manager there after young Deacey had impressed in pre-season game against them. Other clubs in the full time game have also been linked with him.

Hainsworth said, “We don’t want to lose Jordan but I think it’s inevitable that he will be playing in the Football League sooner rather than later.

"He is a fantastic player. He and Nathan Hotte complement each other so well in the centre of our midfield.

“Jordan has been in our side on merit since he was a very young lad. Some supporters have got on his back if he’s had a poor game but that’s because he’s the manager's son, and that has nothing to do with why he’s in the team. Fortunately, poor displays from Jordan are few and far between.”

If he does go into the full-time ranks he will be in good company as a former Bradford Park Avenue player.

“He is very influential for us and we have a better chance of winning games when we see he is in the starting line-up, but the bottom line is that we don’t want to hold him back.

“We have a good relationship with Hartlepool now, and that is down to the Ducky deal, and they have been great with us.

"Ducky has fitted in really well up there and Colin is aware that we are a club that does things right and can develop players.

“Chris Brandon didn’t do too bad when he left us. He went on to have a long career in the Football League and he came back to play for City at one stage. Paddy Kenny is still out there, although he didn’t play too many games for Leeds United towards the end of last season.

“We have had some very good players stepping up into the leagues from Avenue and I’m sure Jordan will be another one when the time comes.”